Bachelor of Science (Molecular Biosciences)

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

The program of studies aims to provide students with a broad-based foundation in molecular bioscience together with the ability to acquire extensive subject knowledge in microbiology and related areas.

It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

understand and apply relevant scientific principles in a microbiological context
retrieve and present scientific information about molecular biosciences and microbiology, including communicating effectively with lay, general scientific and specialised scientific audiences in written and spoken form
critically analyse and evaluate information relevant to molecular bioscience and microbiology in order to solve problems
appreciate the multidisciplinary nature of molecular biosciences and engage positively with people and ideas within these disciplines and beyond
work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
appreciate the role of molecular bioscience, and specifically microbiology in society, the regulatory frameworks which apply to each discipline and the ethical issues they raises
work effectively and productively within a team.

The program of study provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study in molecular bioscience or another science or non-science related discipline or for a career in molecular bioscience related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

demonstate knowledge of and critically apply theories, subject content, professional methodologies and research procedures relevant to molecular bioscience in the disciplines of microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology; for example bioinformatics and cell structure including nucleic acid and protein structure and function
understand and describe the processes through which current knowledge about the disciplines of microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology were developed
analyse and critically evaluate ideas/information/data and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data
design and carry out experiments using appropriate techniques and protocols
communicate their findings to lay, general scientific and specialised scientific audiences in
written and spoken form
appreciate that molecular bioscience is multidisciplinary and has connections to other science and non-sciencedisciplines
work and learn independently and appreciate the need for continuing professional development
interact effectively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals
work in a molecular biosciences or microbiology laboratory, with an appreciation of work practices relating to OH&S, animal/human ethics and biosafety
use a variety of IT applications essential to the molecular bioscience
culture and identify microorganisms
understand the microbiological nature of disease.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Molecular Biosciences) a student must complete 108 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study detailed below.

No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 108 units for the degree. Topics designated 'any year' or with no year level specified are regarded as First Year level topics.

Elective topics to complete 108 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the College of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Specialisation - Molecular Biosciences - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 topics

BIOL1101 Evolution of Biological Diversity (4.5 units)
BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life (4.5 units)
STEM1001 Nature of STEM (4.5 units)
STAT1122 Biostatistics (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics

Plus one of:
CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding (4.5 units)
CHEM1201 General Chemistry (4.5 units)

Plus:

CHEM1202 Chemistry for the Life Sciences (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 1 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Molecular Biosciences - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 topics

BIOL2701 Experimental Design and Statistics for Biology (4.5 units)
BIOL2702 Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity (4.5 units)
BIOL2722 Disease and Immunology (4.5 units)
BIOL2761 Virology (4.5 units)
BIOL2771 Biochemistry (4.5 units)
BIOL2772 Molecular Biology (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Molecular Biosciences - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 topics

BIOL3761 Foundations in Microbiology (4.5 units)
BIOL3762 Protein to Proteome (4.5 units)
BIOL3771 DNA to Genome (4.5 units)
BIOL3772 Integrating Molecular Biosciences (4.5 units)
BIOL3782 Advanced Microbiology: Microbial Ecology and Infectious Disease (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 topics

Select one of:

BTEC3003 Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (4.5 units) OR
BTEC3004 Environmental Biotechnology (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 3 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.#

#Students are encouraged to enrol in STEM3001 Science Connect (4.5 units) as a third-year elective.

Honours

Admission to an honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the College being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study. Refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours).